Auto tow cars
I am having a nightmare with our ford Kuga auto 2013 . new gear box after 20000 miles rear axel helix after 46000 miles and the drive has gone again either clutch or transmission if the later ford replacement is about 6000. !!!! are there any cars out there with standard auto gearbox's and not tiptronic type. any views and advice welcome need auto as easier for my wife to drive day to day. we are towing a coachman 575.
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Well, can’t speak about the technicalities of exactly what type of gearbox, but I had a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe with absolutely zero trouble. Now changed to BMW X5 last September . Limited towing so far but very good as far as I can tell. Got it for more power with heavier van.
Neither vehicle of course had done the mileage yours had.
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'Tiptronic' is a red herring. There are 'proper' slush box, torque converter autos that have flappy paddles to manually change gear eg my ML Merc but there are also automated manual gear boxes with flappy paddles eg VW's DSG & I think your Ford Kuga.
I would not tow with an automated manual .... though many here do so
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The torque converter auto boxes are the old tried and tested and, in many people's view, the best.
Dual clutch boxes, CVT, and automated manuals have often been found to be lacking either in performance or reliability.
It's noticeable that the motor industry is gradually moving back towards the good old TC boxes, including some of the French offerings, and I think I'm right in saying that Hyundai and Kia have always used them in their bigger cars - Sante Fe and Sorento. That's where I'd start looking, B&W, and always get the salesman to find out what sort of box is used.
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That's why I said "get the salesman to find out"🙄. That is, ask a man in the workshop.
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The reality is that Ford’s copy of the VW DSG box is poor and unreliable, (just search on Honest John) hence they have now reverted to T/C skushbox. The VW DSG comes in 2 versions, dry and wet clutch. The former is cr8p, the latter is fine as long as it is regularly serviced (40k miles). I believe the same applies to the Ford version insofar as they need regular fluid and filter changes as does the Haldex 4wd differential. I have had 2 VW group cars with wet clutch DSG towing to over 100k miles without any problems. my current tug, Volvo automatic has a T/C box but it is still unofficially recommended to have a fluid change every 50k miles or so if towing.
best source for info for any car is to look at a forum dedicated to that brand. So search for a Ford UK forum to get a better informed response.
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It's what I always do, ED, either directly or via the salesman.
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I've towed with autos for many years but you always have to be careful to establish if any additional gearbox cooling is necessary. I had a Ford Scorpio nuke its gearbox on me years ago because it overheated when towing so I watch it very carefully now. Coooling changes seem less critical in newer cars but don't know if that's because the stock gearbox cooling is better or because manufacturers care even less about towers these days than they used to.
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Torque converter slush box's were the old 3/4 speed ones that didn't lock up, later ones locked up in top gear only. New 7-10 speed TC box's only use the torque converter to start off then use a type of clutch to lock into each gear. This generates less heat in the fluid unless speed, load or incline prevent lock up. TCs have an advantage when towing, they amplify torque from start off.
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have you checked the CAMH matching app? I only ask because as an owner of a VIP and knowing the weight of Coachman in general, I wonder if the 575 is too heavy for a Kuga, which is only regarded as a "light SUV"? That could certainly cause premature wear on your transmission. I agree with most above comments that the "slush box" is always the best auto option.
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I've been thinking of changing our 2017 santa fe t/c auto. Unfortunately the new SF and Kia Sorrento are DCT gearboxes so basically have clutch plates.
We also have a Kona GT which as DCT gearbox and you can tell the difference between the two types. The handbook advises not to crawl in traffic or try to hold on a hill and reverse is very sharp to engage, it even as a transmission overheat protection warning, this has put me off hyundai or Kia now as tow cars for heavy caravans.
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Plenty of manufacturers still use torque convertor boxes. To name a few:
Volvo - Geartronic - Aisin (BorgWarner)
Peugeot and Citroen- E.A.T - Aisin (BorgWarner)
Mazda - own make
Vauxhall - GM
The newer fords have switched from Powershift to a TC box.
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It must pay to do your homework first then because I know that Vauxhall used an Easytronic auto a few years back that had more than its fair share of problems. Likewise, years ago my father in law had a Citroen auto with an automated manual gearbox ..... it was horrible, but EmilysMum also has a Citroen that has a TC auto (I'll ignore the fact that it stalls when cold 🤔)
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Hi, was thinking of getting a Santa Fe premium se 2015 - 2018, do these have old style TC, as I have 2002 x5 and it’s getting a bit old now.
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using a BMW 520 diesel auto with no problems at all--seems grand.
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the latest Santa Fe and Sorento use DCT, which i believe are the dry type referred to earlier. surprisingly the sorento auto as a higher max towing weight than the santa fe despite being the 'same' car
My partner has a Hyundai Kona GT which has a dry DCT, the handbook states to not crawl in slow traffic as the system can overheat indicated by a warning light!!
This as put me off swapping my 2017 Santa Fe with TC gearbox for the latest model as we tow 1900kg
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